Meet Maya Sassoon | Creative Director, Set Designer, Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maya Sassoon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya, why did you pursue a creative career?
I felt that this was the most clear path for me. It’s what has always come naturally, and I feel I have a lot to give in this line of work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At this point in my career, I’d define myself as a freelance creative that’s developing my practice into a multidisciplinary studio. Having gotten a master’s degree in architecture, I had the privilege of learning a lot of different skills that translated into the work I do today. My main source of work is as a production designer and a creative director in music, fashion, advertising, events, and narrative film. With those roles, comes the ability to practice other skills such as directing video, editing, producing, designing graphics.. Separate from the paid work, in my spare time, I’m developing my practice as an illustrator. I have a lot of personal projects going, and still working on how best to release them into the world. Two of my favorites are the tarot card deck I’m designing, as well as a series of flash tattoos.
I want the world to know that it’s okay to be interested in multiple roles or disciplines. Sometimes I worry that I come off as not focused, or trying to wear too many hats. I personally think that if you can be good at a lot of things, why not do it? The challenge going forward is continuing to market myself in a way that shows people that I actually am thriving in all the different roles I’m taking on. Also, making sure that as I go, I keep learning and gaining more expertise in all these roles. The aim is never to wear multiple hats just because I feel like it. I do it because I love it all, and I enjoy the process of getting to switch it up- and then learning from those experiences.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here are my favorite places in LA that come to mind (in no particular order):

La Piedra beach, Will Rogers beach, I would perch on one of the bluffs in the Palisades and watch the sun go down..

On the east side I would take them to Sogo Roll Bar or Noshi Sushi for food.. Any of the art museums, Los Feliz or Melrose Flea, The Arts District in Downtown, anywhere that’s showing a good movie…love the new Vista theater. Hikes of course.. I love the Merry go round hike in Griffith Park..

For cafes in my neighborhood, it would be Cafe Nido, Cafe Organico, Muddy Paw, Tartine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give credit first to my parents for always encouraging me to think independently and chase a fulfilling career. I’m happy they suggested I study architecture. I’m thankful for that education and how it taught me to approach making visuals in a unique way.

I have to thank the artistic friends in my life that inspire me everyday. Working with and alongside others who are contributing parts of themselves to the arts is important. There is nothing more fulfilling than a healthy and respectful collaboration where talented brains come together to make something that no one party could do alone.

I’d also like to thank my friends on the business end of things. It’s often that they are the ones that have the chance to stand up for my work and give me the opportunity to get to do this as a career. Their passion for what I do is also vital, and having them on my team means the world.

Website: https://www.mayasassoon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massoonn/

Image Credits
Barbara Gabrielle, Bochun Cheng, Benjo Arwas, Derrek Harris, Linea Bullion